DALLAS, Texas - Quarterback Taylor McHargue is the most vital part of Rice's offense, but his ability to stay out of harm's way will be the biggest key if he can stay healthy.

Last year, McHargue missed time because of a shoulder injury and was knocked out of the Armed Forces Bowl with a concussion. Rice finished 7-6 last year and was picked second in Conference USA's West Division.

McHargue had 2,876 yards of total offense last year, 2,206 through the air. He threw for 12 touchdown passes last year and ran for 11. When healthy, he's been Rice's starting quarterback his whole career. When healthy.

"It's something, they hate it, but I don't know how to change my style," McHargue said at Conference USA Media Day on Wednesday. "I played running back until I got to high school. When I start running, I know I take unnecessary hits and I'm going to try and cut down on that this season.

"Running the ball is part of our position at Rice. We don't throw it 60 times per game. We carry it 15 times a game. I'm going to try to change my style."

Rice coach David Bailiff brought in Major League Baseball star Lance Berkman, a Rice alum, to teach McHargue how to slide feet first. After Berkman signed with the Texas Rangers, some Rice baseball players had to work with McHargue.

"Lance Berkman was coming over to teach him to slide because he is the worst slider in America," Bailiff said. "He just can't figure it out. His head-first, Charlie Hustle style isn't working.

"His DNA is to fight for extra yards. He's such a difference-maker on our football team that he needs to figure out how to get the extra yards without taking the big hits."

McHargue and the Owls are relishing the high expectations for this season. Usually, Rice has taken a backseat to local rival Houston in football, but last year the Cougars didn't make a bowl game. Houston is now in the American Athletic Conference.

"It's exciting to get to that point and have the buzz around the program and, for the first time since I've been here, not be known exclusively as a baseball school," McHargue said.

Rice and UAB play this year for the first time since 2009. That year, McHargue was asked to simulate former Blazer star Joe Webb as the scout team quarterback in practice.

"They made me the scout team the week before because Joe ran everywhere," McHargue said. "They made me live at practice and I got crushed by our defensive end who's now playing for the Tennessee Titans. I got crushed, and that's the last time they made me live in practice."

UAB won that season-opening game 44-24. Webb ran for 194 yards and two scores and threw for 221 yards and two scores.

"I tried to be (Joe Webb), but then I saw that guy on Saturday and I said, 'Well, I'm not that guy,'" McHargue said.